How do you take the ideas and commitment of your student portfolio into architectural practice? How can you build a career that reinforces your ideals and aims, rather than compromises them?

These two talks, by architects at very different stages of their careers addresses, will illustrate ‘how they do sustainable practice’, and the challenges and success they have had in addressing the concerns they had as students through their built projects.

Speakers

Chris Morgan (John Gilbert Architects, Glasgow)

Chris Morgan graduated from Newcastle University in 1991 with a project based on the use of woodland thinnings from Kielder Forest which he prototyped full-size. He has practiced for over 25-years in Glasgow, designing for climate justice through innovative and expert regeneration strategies, newbuild, conservation and retrofit design work.

Gordon O'Connor-Read, London

Gordon O'Connor graduated from Westminster University in 2018. While a student he was already working with RUSS, Rural Urban Synthesis Society, and he will talk about his work with them since then, particularly the Church Grove Community Hub, a community space built by volunteers in 2019 using reclaimed materials, and the first element of a mixed-tenure Community Land Trust development of 36 houses/flats. He will also talk about his work for Laing O’Rourke, a multi-disciplinary contractor, not a conventional architecture practice.

Event Format

The event will take place in M416 (the Robin Evans Room) in a Hybrid Format, with in person attendance (which is for University of Westminster students and staff only) along with a livestream via Zoom (for external participants, and those University of Westminster Staff or Students who are unable or do not wish to be physically present).

For those who have registered to attend via Zoom, a joining link will be sent out 48 working hours prior to commencement of the event (Friday 22 October).

For those attending in person be aware that the wearing of masks within the University of Westminster is mandatory - unless you are exempt.

Practicing Sustainability: from Portfolio to Practitioner